Ready serve distribution bottle

ABSTRACT

The ready serve distribution bottle is a plastic squeeze bottle for containing and dispensing a viscous food condiment. An enlarged plastic dispensing cap is located on the bottom of the container, whereby the container stands upright on the plastic cap. Because the bottle stands upright on the dispensing cap, gravity urges the food condiment toward the dispensing cap so that the food condiment is always ready for distribution. The dispensing cap is enlarged relative to the bottle to provide increased stability while the bottle stands upright on the dispensing cap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to viscous liquid dispensingcontainers. More specifically, the invention is a condiment (e.g.,catsup) bottle having an enlarged concave-topped dispensing cap locatedforming the base of the container. The bottle stands upright on thedispensing cap, whereby gravity ensures that the contents of the bottleremain proximate to the dispensing cap for ready delivery.

2. Description of the Related Art

The related art of interest describes various viscous liquids, but nonediscloses the present invention. There is a need for a viscous liquidcomposition-distributing container that readily and effectivelydistributes its contents. The related art will be discussed initially inthe order of perceived relevance to the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,336 issued on Sep. 28, 1999, to Dan Radassao et al.describes an inverted flexible frusto-conical viscous fluid dispenserbottle having three parallel angled indentations in the upper extent forgripping purposes. A rigid lower extent or cap has a hinged lid and twobores of unequal diameters. Another embodiment has two equal diameterbores. The lid assembly has separable lids with snap-type bore covers.The bottles are distinguishable for requiring angled indentations in thebottle and a lid with two bores of different diameters.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,844 issued on Sep. 24, 1968, to Wesley S. C. Chindescribes a conventional modified catsup bottle with a cap-standcomprising a bottle having a central bottom well opening to affix to acap-stand to support the inverted bottle after the contents have beenpartially used. The cap-stand has annular wall frictionally fitted onthe bottle bottom and a concentric cap wall fitted into the bottle welland dimensioned internally to grip the exterior surface of the bottleneck for supporting the bottle in an inverted position. The device isdistinguishable for requiring a catsup bottle with a central bottom wellopening.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2002/0074367 A1 published onJun. 20, 2002, for Kevin Kawakita describes a gravity-fed ketchupdispenser bottle comprising a glass or squeezable plastic bottle shapedlike a prior art ketchup bottle having a twist ventilation only cap, aone-way trapdoor diaphragm, a bottle top with a ventilation hole, and aflip-off, flip-on nozzle bottom cap which fits on a false bottle bottomor stand. The device is distinguishable for requiring a twistventilation only cap, a one-way trapdoor diaphragm, a bottle top with aventilation hole, and a flip-off, flip-on nozzle bottom cap.

U.S. Reissued Pat. No. RE37,566 E issued on Mar. 5, 2002, and U.S. Pat.No. 5,950,698 issued on Sep. 14, 1999, to Denise M. Cristea et al.describes a holding device for collecting residual contents in acontainer bottle comprising a hollow rigid base portion, a flexibleconical-shaped hollow upper portion, and the smaller first end apertureat the apex of the flexible conical-shaped upper portion being insertedinto the upper end aperture of the rigid base portion and concentricallyengaged with the upper edge of the base portion. The device includes aplurality of concavities at radially spaced apart relationship along abottom edge of the base portion. The upper portion is made from foamrubber, and the rigid base portion is made from various materials. Thedevice is distinguishable for requiring a hollow rigid base portion anda flexible conical-shaped hollow upper portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,076,826 issued on Apr. 13, 1937, to Philip Reinsbergdescribes a collapsible tube closure comprising a pedestal for aninverted paste dispensing tube. The device is distinguishable forrequiring a pedestal for an inverted paste dispensing tube.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,078,149 issued on Apr. 20, 1937 , to Clay B. Lutzdescribes a pedestal cap for inverted toothpaste tubes held in aninclined position. The cap is distinguishable for requiring a pedestalfor an inverted toothpaste tube.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,878 issued on Jun. 9, 1981, to Elvis Bologadescribes a device for draining ketchup from a bottle comprising a standhaving tripod legs and inwardly projecting finger elements at the top. Adish is placed inside the legs to catch the draining ketchup. The deviceis distinguishable for requiring an upstanding tripod.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,005 issued on Aug. 6, 1991, to Paul Appleby et al.and P.C.T. Patent Application No. WO 92/21569 published on Dec. 10,1992, for Paul Appleby et al. describe an inverted dispenser for ketchupcomprising a free standing triangularly shaped polygonal and flexibledispenser having a valved dispensing nozzle proximate the bottom. Thedispenser is distinguishable for requiring a differently shapeddispenser.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,860 issued on Apr. 21, 1992, to Annette B. Connordescribes a liquid draining apparatus comprising a rectangular boxhaving three openings (one on the bottom) and two catch drawers. Theapparatus is distinguishable for requiring a box with three openings.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,957 issued on Sep. 15, 1992, to Paul Belokin, Jr. etal. describes a nestable container stand comprising a container having atapered side wall, a large bottom end, and a small top dispensing end.The device is distinguishable for requiring a stand with a collectionchamber.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,787 issued on Nov. 23, 1993, to Reed N. Wilcox etal. describes an inverted cap for craft paint applicators comprising abase holder having a cavity with the upper portion threaded to engagethe applicator. The device is distinguishable for requiring a threadedcavity.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,298 issued on Oct. 24, 1995, to Anthony E. DiBiaseet al. describes a stand for container inversion comprising a cup-shapedstand is interposed between a bottle and its cap. The device isdistinguishable for requiring a stand.

U.S. Pat. No. US 6,345,723 B1 issued on Feb. 12, 2002, to Vance G. Blakeet al. describes six embodiments of an upright and inverted bottle andcontainer holder for availability of the liquid contents comprising anS-shaped holder (side view) with a large aperture on the top planarsurface and a circular aperture in the middle planar surface as a firstembodiment. A second embodiment has a U-shaped clip stand with anaperture in its bottom. These devices are distinguishable for requiringbottle holding devices.

France Patent Publication No. 2 690 423 A1 published on Oct. 29, 1993,for Joel Touvron describes a toothpaste tube dispensing device having aninner membrane and a dispensing membrane. The device has a cap base inwhich the tube is inverted to depress the tube to press the pastecontinuously towards the dispensing mechanism. The cap providesstability for the inverted dispenser and protection for the dispensingmechanism. The device is distinguishable for requiring a pressingmechanism.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or incombination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus,a ready serve liquid distribution bottle solving the aforementionedproblems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ready serve distribution bottle for dispensing condiments such ascatsup comprises a flexible plastic container having a closed top, and aneck tapering to a dispensing cap at the bottom. The bottle standsupright on the dispensing cap when not in use. A threaded neck portionhas a circular cross-section. The circular flip-open cap has a concavebottom surface, a vertically ribbed external surface and an internallythreaded surface. An advantage of this arrangement, with the dispensingcap located at the bottom of the container, is that, with the bottlestanding upright on the dispensing cap, a condiment contained within isurged by gravity into proximity of the dispensing cap to be readilyavailable for dispensing.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide aready serve distribution bottle according to the present invention.

It is another object of the invention to provide a ready servedistribution bottle for dispensing viscous liquids such as condimentsaccording to the present invention.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a ready servedistribution bottle having a dispensing cap. located on the bottom ofthe bottle according to the present invention.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a ready servedistribution bottle having a flip-open dispensing cap with a concavebottom surface located on the bottom of the bottle according to thepresent invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive,dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational front view of a ready serve distribution bottleaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the ready serve distribution bottleillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational side view of a ready serve distribution bottleaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a ready serve distribution bottle accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectioned side elevational view of adispensing cap according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, is directed toa ready serve distribution bottle 10 for containing a viscous foodcondiment 12 such as catsup. The ready serve distribution bottle 10 isessentially an “upside-down” version of a conventional plastic bottle,adapted to maintain its balance while stood upright on its cap 14. Asthe ready serve distribution bottle 10 stands upright on its cap 14,gravity urges the food condiment 12 toward the cap 14 so that the foodcondiment 12 is always ready for distribution.

The ready serve distribution bottle 10 comprises a container portion 11having a closed top 16. The closed top generally resembles the bottom ofa conventional plastic bottle or “squeeze bottle”. At the bottom of thecontainer portion 11, a tapered neck 18 tapers to a circular, externallythreaded collar 19 to accommodate an internally threaded two-piecehinged cap 14. The container portion 11 is hollow container having agenerally oval or rectangular cross section, as seen in FIG. 4. Thelength of the rectangular cross section (“first container width”) issomewhat greater than the diameter of the cap 14, while the width of therectangular cross section (“second container width”) is equal to thediameter of the cap 14.

The two-piece circular cap 14 illustrated in FIG. 4 has a base cover 22and a flip-open cover 24 having a concave surface. The base cover 22 andthe flip-open cover 24 are joined together by a strap hinge 26. The basecover 22 has an inner threaded cover element 29 to thread onto theexternally threaded collar 19 and an orifice portion 28 that fitstightly inside the orifice cover portion 30 of the concave surfacedflip-open cover 24 to prevent any leakage of the contained catsup. Thetwo-piece circular cap 14 can be made of durable rigid plastic. Becausethe ready serve distribution bottle 10 stands upright on the concavesurface of the flip-open cover 24, an advantage of the concave surfaceof the flip-open cover 24 is to prevent the cover from distorting to aconvex shape and causing a loss of stability of the ready servedistribution bottle 10. The ready serve distribution bottle 10 can bemade in various sizes.

Because the ready serve distribution bottle 10 is intended to standupright on its cap 14, it is desirable that the cap 14 and container 11portions are fashioned in relative proportions and dimensions toincrease stability, so the ready serve distribution bottle 10 will beresistant to toppling over, for instance, when jostled on a refrigeratorshelf. Of primary concern is the relationship between the diameter ofthe cap 14 and the overall height of the ready serve distribution bottle10, assuming that at least initially the ready serve distribution bottle10 will be essentially completely filled with a condiment. The diameterof the cap 14 is equal to least 25% of the height of the ready servedistribution bottle 10. Additionally, the diameter of the cap 14 isequal to least 51% of the first container width of the ready servedistribution bottle 10.

Thus, an innovative ready serve distribution bottle 10 for storing foodcondiments ready for distribution without waiting for the viscous liquidto flow to the outlet has been shown.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A ready serve distribution bottle, comprising: a flexible squeezableplastic bottle having a closed top end and a bottom end, a containerportion having a hollow interior, and a neck portion disposed on saidbottom end, the neck portion tapering from said container portion to acircular collar; and a circular two-piece plastic cap disposed on saidcircular collar, the cap having a lower peripheral ribbed surfacecomponent and a hinged upper component having a concave surface; wherebythe bottle is stored and maintained in an upright position on its capwithout any further support.
 2. The ready serve distribution bottleaccording to claim 1, wherein said cap has an outside diameter, andwherein said flexible squeezable plastic bottle has a height equal toless than four times said outside diameter.
 3. The ready servedistribution bottle according to claim 2, wherein said flexiblesqueezable plastic bottle has a first width equal to less than twicesaid outside diameter.
 4. The ready serve distribution bottle accordingto claim 3, wherein said flexible squeezable plastic bottle has a secondwidth equal to said outside diameter.
 5. The ready serve distributionbottle according to claim 1, wherein said circular collar is externallythreaded.
 6. The ready serve distribution bottle according to claim 1,wherein said cap is internally threaded.
 7. The ready serve distributionbottle according to claim 1, wherein said cap has a concave surface. 8.The ready serve distribution bottle according to claim 1, wherein saidcap is a two-piece cap.
 9. The ready serve distribution bottle accordingto claim 8, wherein said two-piece cap comprises a base cover, aflip-open cover, and a hinge strap joining said flip-open cover to saidbase cover.
 10. The ready serve distribution bottle according to claim9, wherein said base cover is internally threaded.
 11. The ready servedistribution bottle according to claim 9, wherein said flip-open coverahs a concave surface.
 12. The ready serve distribution bottle accordingto claim 1, further comprising a viscous food condiment contained withinsaid flexible squeezable plastic bottle.